Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli [20/57 * 2018]

“But I’m tired of coming out. All I ever do is come out. I try not to change, but I keep changing, in all these tiny ways. I get a girlfriend. I have a beer. And every freaking time, I have to reintroduce myself to the universe all over again.”

Okaaaaay. This was so good. I have to admit I have watched the film first before I read this. Oops. But let me tell you, despite knowing how it eventually ends, reading this was a million times better.

I remember watching the film opening weekend here in Manila, which was May 2018, I guess. So, some details I actually forgot. But it was amazing reading this and have faces in my head for most of the characters.

“Why is straight the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it shouldn’t be this big awkward thing whether you’re straight, gay, bi, or whatever. I’m just saying.”

Of course, screenplays are different than the books. And I thank the heavens something in me decided to pick this up. The story is amazing. Even if I’m not a part of the community, I have been close friends with lots of LGBTQ+ and I remember their coming out struggles with coming out– to friends and mostly to parents.

This story is a wonderful telling of a person coming into terms with his identity. A story with a splash of a cute romance, a loving family, a crazy group of friends and an amazing person.

There’s just so much to love and I can’t count them right now. It’s just all so amazing.

“P.S. I love the way you smile like you don’t realize you’re doing it. I love your perpetual bed head. I love the way you hold eye contact a moment longer than you need to. And I love your moon-gray eyes. So if you think I’m not attracted to you, Simon, you’re crazy.”

☁ THE CRITERIA ☁

🌻 Blurb: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐The blurb is what will pull you to this. Not so openly gay Simon exchanging emails with an anonymous guy named Blue, and the threat of being outed to the world when you’re not sure if you’re ready yet.🌻 Hero:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I love Simon. He’s quirky. He’s flawed. He’s not a perfect hero but he’s unique. He has his ups and downs throughout the story, and he has this lovable aura that makes you want to cuddle him or pet his head.🌻 Other Hero:⭐⭐⭐⭐Blue. The fun part was guessing who he was. It was such an adventure.🌻 Support Characters:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I love all the characters. Everyone, down to the dog, Bieber. The author wrote characters in a way that you learn much about them eventhough they’re not the protagonist, she makes you care about them.🌻 Writing Style:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I am sucker for this book’s voice. The story flows so well. You feel like you’re inside a secret. The humor is just my type. Pop culture references and lots of music, too. It was, again, amazing.🌻 Character Development:⭐⭐⭐⭐Simon may have made decisions that are not as agreeable to some, but I love him and his flaws. Some of his reactions here are impluses, are of shock and surprise and hurt, I don’t blame him. How you handle your coming out, at the end of day, how or when or to whom, should be 100% your choice. And how you feel or react about anything affecting that is forgivable, for me.🌻 Romance:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I thought there won’t be too much, to be honest. But the emails build up into so much flirting. And then there’s actual flirting. And then there’s so much fluff. So much cuteness. I felt so giddy.🌻 Pacing:⭐⭐⭐⭐Emails alternating with real life. All throughout a few months in high school. It was a perfect fast paced story. No drags at all.🌻 Ending:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Again, it’s the cutest fluffball of a story.🌻 Page Turner:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐The book’s voice is the making of a read-in-one-sitting book. Don’t forget the slight air of mystery.🌻 Book Cover:⭐⭐⭐⭐Cute and edgy. And red. I liked it.